Chhetri scores on return as India beat Maldives 3-0
Shillong: India secured their first victory under coach Manolo Marquez with a dominant 3-0 win over the Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Wednesday. This was India’s first win since November 2023, and it showcased an all-around impressive performance, featuring goals from Sunil Chhetri, Liston Colaco, and a header by Rahul Bheke.
The match, which also marked the debut of a senior men’s international match at the stadium, kicked off with an electric atmosphere. Chhetri, making his return to the national team after 286 days, was playing his 152nd match. The crowd erupted in excitement in the very first minute when Chhetri nearly created an early goal-scoring opportunity.
India immediately set the tone, with both Colaco and Chhetri coming close to opening the scoring early on. The breakthrough came just before halftime when Rahul Bheke found the back of the net from a corner, giving India a 1-0 lead. However, the excitement was momentarily dampened as Brandon Fernandes, who had been crucial in the build-up, was forced off the field due to injury in the 41st minute, with Farukh Choudhary taking his place.
Despite the setback, India continued to dominate, with Colaco adding a second goal and Chhetri sealing the win with a clinical finish. The Blue Tigers were in control throughout, ensuring their first victory under Marquez in style.
India’s second half continued their offensive surge. Two minutes after the break, Chhetri’s header was cleared off the line, but Colaco finally found the net in the 65th minute, scoring his first-ever goal for the national team from a towering header. This double header performance highlighted India’s dominance in aerial duels, with set-pieces proving to be their weapon of choice.
The icing on the cake came in the 76th minute when Chhetri capped off his return to the national team with a trademark header from a Colaco cross, securing his 95th international goal and putting India 3-0 up. Chhetri’s goal marked the perfect return for the veteran striker, who had come out of retirement for this game.
This victory, however, was not without its concerns, especially with the injury to Fernandes, a key figure in India’s midfield. As India gears up for their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers opener against Bangladesh on March 25, this win will serve as a much-needed confidence booster for Márquez’s side. IANS